Fede e castigo. «Confessio fidei» e «custodia urbis» nella Roma della metà del II secolo

This article reassesses Justin Martyr’s account of the executions ordered by the praefectus urbi Quintus Lollius Urbicus in mid-second-century Rome. Rather than viewing Urbicus’ actions as arbitrary persecution of the nomen Christianum, the study argues that his intervention can be understood within the broader framework of the urban prefect’s police powers and his duty to preserve the securitas Urbis. By contextualizing Justin’s narrative—also in light of Irenaeus’ polemic against the Valentinians—the article highlights how early Christian activities, especially private gatherings and perceived disruptions of household order, could be interpreted as socially destabilizing or akin to illicit collegia. This perspective provides a more nuanced understanding of the legal dynamics underlying one of the earliest documented Roman proceedings against Christians.